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hold fire on

English translation: not to shoot

14:49 Jun 8, 2005
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: hold fire on
what does "hold fire on" (something) mean?

Thank you!
paulinus
Selected answer:not to shoot
Explanation:
often used in a military context - do not shoot at someone/something

But what it means in your sentence depends on CONTEXT - could you give us some? It may be referring to something else entirely, perhaps meaning to not proceed with something or to suspend action, etc. CONTEXT is everything

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Note added at 22 mins (2005-06-08 15:12:11 GMT)
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thanks for the context - here it means to suspend action until further notice - i.e. don\'t do anything more on this matter until you receive further details from \'him\'. Just sit and wait.
Selected response from:

Aisha Maniar
Grading comment
many thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +11not to shoot
Aisha Maniar
5 +2Take no action on
David Moore (X)
5keep from telling something
humbird
4wait and watch
Balasubramaniam L.


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +11
not to shoot


Explanation:
often used in a military context - do not shoot at someone/something

But what it means in your sentence depends on CONTEXT - could you give us some? It may be referring to something else entirely, perhaps meaning to not proceed with something or to suspend action, etc. CONTEXT is everything

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 mins (2005-06-08 15:12:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

thanks for the context - here it means to suspend action until further notice - i.e. don\'t do anything more on this matter until you receive further details from \'him\'. Just sit and wait.

Aisha Maniar
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
many thanks!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  msherms: agree with you - especially about contect. It could mean like you said to suspend some action
12 mins
  -> thank you
agree  Sara Noss: suspend action. :)
20 mins
  -> cheers :-)
agree  Melanie Nassar: suspend action....... and then shoot (askers who don't provide context!) :-)))
26 mins
  -> sounds tempting ;-)
agree  RHELLER: "not to shoot" is the origin :-)
28 mins
  -> it is indeed, thanks Rita :-))
agree  Dr Sue Levy (X)
34 mins
  -> thanks
agree  Refugio: hold off
41 mins
  -> yes, thanks
agree  rangepost
52 mins
  -> thank you
agree  gtreyger (X): bingo
1 hr
  -> cheers :-)
agree  jennifer newsome (X)
1 hr
  -> thank you
agree  Will Matter: Wait, wait.
1 hr
  -> thanks
agree  Alfa Trans (X)
23 hrs
  -> thank you
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30 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
keep from telling something


Explanation:
Also "hold one's fire on". You just refrain from arguments or not reveal facts at this time, until you know which way is more beneficial for you.

humbird
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese, Native in EnglishEnglish
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45 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Take no action on


Explanation:
This is a common expression in colloquial English when awaiting information, for example. The information is required to enable an informed decision to be made, action to be taken etc. Aisha is correct in her origin of the expression; this is its everyday use and meaning.

David Moore (X)
Local time: 05:55
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 32

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Will Matter
58 mins
agree  Aisha Maniar: you're absolutely right about this being colloquial speech
1 hr
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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
wait and watch


Explanation:
Hold fire = wait and watch

Take no precipitative action.

Balasubramaniam L.
India
Local time: 09:25
Native speaker of: Native in HindiHindi
PRO pts in category: 28
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